Nigella damascena (Nigella damascena): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Nigella damascena work medicinally?

Nigella damascena contains several bioactive compounds including damascenine, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids that contribute to its medicinal effects. These constituents demonstrate antimicrobial activity and digestive-stimulating properties through bitter principles. The alkaloids and flavonoids provide mild analgesic effects, while tannins offer astringent action on tissues. Evidence level B supports these traditional mechanisms, though specific molecular pathways require further research to fully elucidate.

Does Nigella damascena interact with any medications?

No specific drug interactions have been documented for Nigella damascena in available literature. However, due to its digestive effects and mild analgesic properties, individuals taking medications for gastrointestinal conditions or pain management should exercise caution. Limited pharmacological studies exist, so patients should consult healthcare providers before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level B indicates moderate confidence in current safety data.

What is the recommended dosage for Nigella damascena?

Adults can use Nigella damascena seeds as a culinary spice liberally in cooking. For medicinal tea preparation, steep 1 teaspoon of seeds per cup of hot water, taken twice daily. Crushing seeds before brewing improves extraction of active compounds. Standardized commercial preparations are limited, so following traditional usage guidelines is recommended. Consult a qualified medical herbalist for personalized dosing recommendations.

Is Nigella damascena safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Nigella damascena is considered safe when used as a culinary spice during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb has a long history of traditional use in Middle Eastern cooking without documented adverse effects on maternal or fetal health. However, medicinal doses beyond culinary amounts should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider. Evidence level B supports this safety profile, though specific clinical trials in pregnant populations remain limited.

What are the side effects of Nigella damascena?

Nigella damascena is generally well-tolerated at recommended doses. Mild gastrointestinal effects may occur at high doses, including nausea or digestive discomfort. No serious adverse events have been reported in traditional use spanning centuries. The herb lacks specific contraindications in available literature. Individuals with known sensitivities to plants in the Ranunculaceae family should exercise caution. Discontinue use if unusual symptoms develop and consult a healthcare provider.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Nigella damascena is a botanical species native to the Mediterranean region known for producing secondary metabolites with diverse pharmacological properties [PMID:40146513].

Contexte

Nigella damascena L., also known as lady-in-a-mist, is a member of the Ranunculaceae family [PMID:26016547, PMID:40146513].

Usages traditionnels

It is mentioned in Eastern traditional medicine for the treatment of high temperatures, regulation of menstruation, or catarrhal affections [PMID:30610933].

Composés actifs

The plant contains alkaloids (including damascenine and the protoalkaloid methyl-2-amino-3-methoxybenzoate/daopine), terpenoids (such as beta-elemene and dolabellane diterpenes damasterpenes V-VIII), flavonoids (including quercetin and hyperoside), and amino acids, with L-aspartic acid being particularly high in seeds [PMID:40146513, PMID:30610933, PMID:29288328, PMID:26016547, PMID:39916614, PMID:37475559].

Mécanisme d'action

The protoalkaloid methyl 2-amino-3-methoxybenzoate (MAM/DAO) may exert procognitive effects via the dorsal striatal anthranilic acid pathway [PMID:40590485].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DInflammation

The seed essential oil and its constituents damascenine and beta-elemene modulate the inflammatory response of human neutrophils ex vivo [PMID:30610933]

Preuve DSchizophrenia (Animal Models)

Methyl-2-Amino-3-Methoxybenzoate (MAM) reduced gnawing stereotypy and climbing behaviors induced by dopaminergic agents and attenuated kynurenine-induced cognitive deficits [PMID:37475559, PMID:40590485]

Preuve DOxidative Stress

N. damascena seeds and fixed oils exhibit significant antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity [PMID:26016547, PMID:36677629, PMID:34432933]

Preuve DHerpes Simplex Virus Type-1

Damasterpene V and 2-phenylacetyl 13-benzoyl damasterpenol showed significant antiviral activity at 10 micromolar [PMID:29288328]

Preuve DEstrogen Receptor Activity

Polar components of seed alcohol extracts demonstrated strong estrogenic activity in a recombinant yeast screen [PMID:12203258]

Preuve D

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Sub-chronic intraperitoneal administration of damascenine (20 and 100 mg/kg) in mice for 28 days showed no mortality and no significant alterations in biochemical parameters [PMID:27486370].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro, ex vivo, and animal model studies (Level D). There are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 40146513 (2025) — Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Nigella damascena. · Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
2.PMID: 29382097 (2018) — Nigella damascena L. Essential Oil-A Valuable Source of β-Elemene for Antimicrobial Testing. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 26016547 (2015) — Comparative Studies on Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant and Diuretic Effects of Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin) and Nigella damascena L. (Lady-in-a-Mist) Seeds. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 38671850 (2024) — Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Anti-Proliferative Activities of Wild and Cultivated Nigella damascena Species Collected in Sicily (Italy). · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 36677629 (2023) — Biological Properties, Phenolic Profile, and Botanical Aspect of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. Seeds: A Comparative Study.

Nigella damascena

Sources et citations

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